Third Wave Of COVID-19 inevitable In India: Central Government’s Principal Scientific Advisor
The second wave of COVID-19 in India has brought a lot of uncertainties. The challenges in controlling the virus have become more difficult since the country was not prepared for it.
The ignorance and lack of proper knowledge by the government led to massive exploitation of medical health infrastructure, which resulted in the deaths of millions of people. Just putting local restrictions and curfews won’t be able to control the virus, and it will continue to grow as it is if a strict nationwide lockdown is not imposed, warned several health experts. The government is not taking the issue seriously, and PM Modi dismantled all the anticipation of implementing a nationwide lockdown. It seems like the economy is more important for the government rather than its citizens.
“India can see the second COVID peak by May 7,” Professor M Vidyasagar, a top mathematician has predicted. The second wave of COVID started from Maharashtra, and then it outgrew to reach the north Indian states. Hence, the peak of the pandemic will be comparatively slower in the states located farther from Maharashtra. “If there are effective policies and measures taken against the virus to curb it, sooner the virus can be eradicated from the country,” he further added. But another misfortune has come over the shoulders of the country, as a few experts have warned that the third wave of COVID is inevitable!
The third wave of COVID likely in India warned several health experts
The ferocious second wave of COVID has grappled India in every way possible. The government’s top scientific advisor has warned the government of India if proper plans are not made soon, then India will witness another deadly third wave of COVID pandemic in India. This has put the country in another dilemma as the second wave is peaking and every sector be it be medical or economic is on the verge of getting exhausted.
Lakhs of people have lost their lives due to the failed management of the government to provide them with proper aids. “The third stage is inevitable because of the high levels of the virus that surround the virus, but it is not clear when the third stage will occur. We have to prepare for the new waves, ”said K Vijay Raghavan, the institute’s chief science adviser at a press conference. On Wednesday, India reported that 3,780 key people had died in COVID in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 2,26,188. 3,82,315 new cases of coronavirus were also recorded simultaneously.
Raghvan further added, “The current vaccines are effective in controlling the virus, and they can also control the other mutants. New variants will keep arising in the world, but their transmission will likely plateau.”
The Health Ministry further added that they were not ‘prepared enough’ to tackle the second wave of COVID. It’s unusual to hear such a statement from the highest authority responsible during a pandemic. Asked if a national lockdown could be the only solution to the case, NITI Aayog member Dr. V K Paul said there was already a signal issued internationally to set limits on the chain of transmission. He added that alternatives would be discussed if necessary.
The Health Ministry further added that 12 major states, including Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan are a few states that are showing an increase in daily COVID cases. “The situation is worrying, but we are working with several departments to ensure proper welfare of the citizens,” said Raghvan.
Liberalized policy for vaccination began on May 1st in India, wherein people above the age of 18 are now eligible to get vaccinated. More than 6 billion people have been registered for the vaccination drive. Lav Agarwal, Health Ministry Joint Secretary, said, “Since foreign aids are coming from abroad for the assistance, we can see the vaccination drive to begin at a faster pace.”
